Crossing (2008 Film)

Crossing (Korean: 크로싱; RR: Keurosing) is a 2008 South Korean drama film directed by Kim Tae-gyun. The film explores the plight of North Korean defectors and the separation of families, focusing on a father's desperate attempt to secure medicine for his ailing wife.

Crossing movie poster — Promotional poster for the 2008 film Crossing.

Background and Development

The project was conceived in 2005, inspired by the MBC television documentary 30-Day Report on the Defectors in China, Part 2: Crossing Death. To ensure historical and social accuracy, director Kim Tae-gyun and writer Lee Yoo-jin conducted over 100 interviews with North Korean defectors, NGO members, and brokers involved in the defection process. Additionally, the production team hired Cheol-young Kim, a real-life North Korean defector, as an assistant director. Cast members underwent three months of training with defectors to master North Korean dialects.

Production

Principal photography commenced on July 2, 2007, and lasted for three months. The production team utilized various locations to recreate the escape route of North Korean defectors, filming extensively in China and Mongolia. For scenes set in North Korean villages, the crew filmed in Yeongwol, Gangwon Province, South Korea, chosen for its architectural similarity to North Korean coal mining towns, as well as in the Beyiyo village of Mongolia.

Actor Cha In-pyo — Cha In-pyo, who portrays the lead character Kim Yong-soo.

Plot Summary

Kim Yong-soo (Cha In-pyo) lives in a North Korean coal-mining village with his wife and young son, Kim Joon (Shin Myeong-cheol). Despite extreme poverty, the family remains close. When his pregnant wife falls critically ill and medicine is unavailable, Yong-soo secretly crosses the border into China. His journey leads to his eventual arrival in South Korea, where he becomes a refugee unable to return home. Following his wife's death, his young son attempts to find his father, leading to a perilous journey.

Actor Shin Myeong-cheol — Shin Myeong-cheol, who portrays the son, Kim Joon.

Reception and Legacy

Crossing was selected as the South Korean entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 81st Academy Awards. The film was screened at various international events, including the 28th Hawaii International Film Festival in 2008.

Scene from the film Crossing — A scene depicting the harsh conditions faced by the characters.